Speights goes No. 16 to Philadelphia

It turns out, Marreese Speights made the right decision afterall.

The Florida forward/center was selected in the first round of the NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers, using the 16th overall pick. Speights became the 10th Gator to become a first round NBA pick, the eighth under head coach Billy Donovan.

"My heart said do it and it came out right,'' Speights said from St. Petersburg Thursday night. "I'm in a good spot right now.''

Speights is the first Gator ever drafted by Philadelphia, while his selection at No. 16 is the seventh-highest pick in school history.

Florida has now had five first round draft picks since 2005, the most of any SEC school, and has had at least one player drafted five of the past six years. The Gators have had four first round picks in the last two drafts alone.

Speights finished second on UF in scoring during his sophomore season, averaging 14.5 points per game. He led the Gators in rebounding with 8.1 rebounds per contest, as well team-highs of 49 blocked shots and 10 double-doubles.

He scored 16 points and grabbed a career-high 18 rebounds against Massachusetts in the semifinals of the MasterCard NIT in what would be the final game of his career. In his two-year career, Speights averaged 9.5 points, 5.4 rebounds and blocked 64 shots.

Speights will leave Friday morning for Philadelphia to begin his new career.

Comments

[Native of St. Pete]

Wow, congratulation to Mr. Speights and his entire family. St Pete deserves a positive look.

[Headmaster, Admiral Farragut Academy]

Everyone at Admiral Farragut Academy is so proud of you. Congratulations!

[Cameron]

Mr. Speights, I hope Noah, Brewer, Horford and any other gator NBA players dominate you in the NBA.